BMAC x Victoria Monét Music Maker Grant – The Winners
Earlier this year GRAMMY winner Victoria Monét and the Black Music Action Coalition came together to create the BMAC x Victoria Monét Music Maker Grant. On October 16, the recipients were finally announced and awarded. Emerging female black artists MOYANA and Nia Ashleigh.
MOYANA: BMAC x Victoria Monét Music Maker Grant Winner
MOYANA is one of the two grant recipients. Although making music independently since she was fifteen, she was just recently on this year’s These Days Magizine’s Artist to Watch. Currently, MOYANA works with Big Fish Booking company, where she is an agency associate. Booking international tours for jazz artists. Besides that, she also has a teaching residency with Chicago Public School. However, as if the woman couldn’t do enough already, she still holds a passion for creating music. Making music that makes a difference, that’s her goal. MOYANA has a warm, melodic sound. A low-toned voice paired with piano, electric guitar, and bass. She writes her own songs and has been for seven years. MOYANA said two years ago in an interview with The Daily Northwestern,
“I just want to make music that builds community, brings people together, and sheds light on experiences that maybe we don’t necessarily talk about in mainstream songs,”
Since then, things have only gone up. In addition to receiving multiple awards, like the 2023 LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Award, she has multiple acclaimed partners, like The View and the National Women’s March Movement, and has attended numerous film festivals. MOYANA has been a star, but with the help of the BMAC x Victoria Monét Music Maker Grant, she will go to new heights.
Nia Ashleigh: BMAC x Victoria Monét Music Maker Grant Winner
Nia Ashleigh is the second winner of the grant. Starting her journey as a young Nala on Broadway in a production of Disney’s The Lion King, performance is in her blood. It’s hard to top Broadway, but Ashleigh succeeded in that. She’s sung for some of music’s biggest icons like Clive Davis, Doja Cat, Dionne Warwick, and Andrea Day. From Newark, New Jersey, this powerful, thoughtful, songwriter blends her background in musical theater with R&B, creating her distinctive style. But it’s more than just her style. It’s also her emotional, heartfelt voice that BMAC and Victoria Monét saw and knew she deserved a reward, their Music Maker Grant. Of course, this grant ignites the next step of a new exciting journey for Nia Ashleigh. One where she can showcase the star quality she’s processed since 10 years old on Broadway to an even bigger audience.
What is this award exactly?
The BMAC x Victoria Monét Music Maker Grant rewards each artist in various ways. Including, one year of financial support, mentorship from Monét herself and her team, and participation in BMAC mentorship programming and opportunities. Hence, the BMAC mission of promoting racial equity and opportunity in the music industry. This grant is just one way they demonstrate that.
Co-founder, CEO, and President of BMAC Willie “Prophet” Stiggers said,
“For those that thought racial and social justice were a passing trend, BMAC stands as a force of steadfast commitment and ongoing determination to use the power of our voice, the power of our coalition, and the power of our industry to create access, equity, and opportunity in the music industry. We are proud to partner with Victoria Monét, a
resilient and committed Artist using her platform to create opportunities for the next generation of music makers”
Monét said about the partnership,
“Partnering with BMAC for their Music Maker Grant has been a full circle moment for me. It feels like just yesterday when I was an emerging songwriter longing for my own voice to be heard. With the support of this grant, I get to help two incredible musicians bridge the gap between uncertainty and their artistry. Thank you to all who applied – I can’t wait to get this mentorship started!”
As an organization dedicated to equity and equality, this is just the newest addition to BMAC’s Music Maker Grants. All aimed at empowering the next generation of Black artists. Working together to create a world where future generations are uplifted and supported is what BMAC’s mission is all about. MOYANA and Nia Ashleigh are now demonstrators of that.